17. Nash

17

NASH

W ith her hands on her hips and eyes wide, Summer stands in the living room like a superwoman. She's surprised, but it's already making her beam a smile.

"This is the costume choice?"

Bouncing Bo in my arms, he gives me no animation because he's probably wondering what the fuck I've done to him.

"He's a little hockey player," I explain proudly.

"I gathered that with the booties that look like skates and a jersey, and is that a helmet? Wait, is that like a plush hockey stick?"

Glancing down, I admit that I knocked this out of the park. The onesie jersey might be a pain in the ass if we have a diaper drama.

Summer walks to Bo and instantly makes little noises with him, the type where she raises her tone and has a melody.

"I think everyone will think you are the cutest baby, yes you are." She pretends to bite his skate, and he squeals .

"Does this upgrade me on the baby-qualification scale?"

Summer pretends to contemplate with her finger on her chin. "Hmm, let me think. You did pick his costume and now know how to make his bottle… If you can make his mom relax by coming a little more during the night, then that might get you those extra points."

My jaw drops, because even if she's toying with me, she just crossed a line. "Whoa there, my ability to relax you has a higher point average than my baby-scale record."

She has a sultry appearance on her face, and I like that a lot. "You're right. I'll give you a 9.5. Now we should head to the Dizzy Duck staff party."

"What are the chances that I can pass off the baby and sneak off with you?"

Summer nearly frowns. "I think as much as I'm taking my fears down a notch… I think we need to?—"

"I agree. Relax," I assure her.

"Good. Now let's go stuff our faces with food so we don't need to worry about dinner later."

I attempt to grab Bo's attention. "See? Your mom is a smart lady."

It's a half-hour later when we get to the Dizzy Duck. Staff are busy out back enjoying a buffet and carving pumpkins. The weather is perfect today. An afternoon that only requires a light jacket. A few clouds, but I always felt autumn isn't a sunny season.

Summer gently cups my elbow as we arrive and takes Bo from my arms. "I'm going to catch up with Lexi and Harlow, plus they are near the caramel-apple-making station, and that's kind of my priority today." It makes me happy that she's already loving her day.

I mosey my way to Stone and Holden who are standing on the patio near the bench swing and a bit away from everyone, looking out at the lake, both with drinks in their hands. They greet me as I join them.

"Shouldn't we be more social?"

Holden partly turns his shoulder with a feigned attempt to check. "My kids are chill, so no, I'm not going to interrupt my moment of solitude," he states dryly before taking a sip of his beer. His pre-teen and teenager can get a little rambunctious at times.

Stone takes a long sip from his beer then makes a noise, informing me that it's a good IPA. "The women are gossiping, and there's a baby present. We're all good."

I chuckle at their answers. "Alright."

Holden tips his nose in the direction of Summer holding Bo. "Cute costume." While he means it, I sense the undertone.

"Something you care to share?"

Stone and Holden exchange awkward glances, and it seems Stone is the one to take the plunge. "He is cute, really. It's just… the arrangement between you and Summer. We're all trying to get used to you stepping into Zac's shoes… and…" He sounds uncomfortable as he scratches his cheek, and his eyes plead with Holden for a save.

"Fuck it." Holden hangs his beer bottle low with his fingers. "Is there something more going on? There. We said it."

My body constricts, and suddenly I'm having déjà vu as this keeps happening lately, and every time I grasp where Summer is coming from. "What's it to anyone if there is?"

Again, they seem to look to one another for encouragement. "It's not our business as long as Summer ends up in a better place. You kind of missed the immediate aftermath of your brother passing and watching Summer try to cope before jumping into acting as though nothing happened." That reminder is not appreciated because it twists me. "Don't get us wrong. It's great seeing her in better spirits. It's just sometimes everything happens so fast that you don't realize until after."

My eyes bug out and my lips pop out. "Not your business but still offering your thoughts. Thanks." I'm not exactly impressed.

"Don't lose it. That's our view, and we can move on. We care for Summer, that's all."

"Way to go on making this a festive staff celebration," I say sarcastically.

Stone slants his head to the side for a second. "To be fair, the party favors are kind of above par."

A contrite smile grows on my mouth. "Aren't you two adorable."

They smirk to themselves. "We are. Now, we are happy that you survived Keats and also Summer doesn't have a fake smile on her face for once. Which reminds me, did she tell you about our guest yesterday?" Holden asks.

"No." It's nice that we can switch gears.

"This guy who is worth millions called the front desk at like one in the morning. You would think he wanted a whiskey or something. Do you know what he wanted?"

Stone takes a guess. "A hooker that doesn't exist in Lake Spark as we are a wholesome town?"

"Nah, he wanted a cheese sandwich cut into animal shapes and a glass of milk."

Stone and I sputter out a laugh. "What?"

"Yeah, and he even wanted a straw in the milk."

"The night receptionist told us about it the next morning in the staff meeting," Holden explains.

"I think when my parents owned this place it was mostly marriage breakups for the world to see. Oh, they had one guy who snuck in a fifty-pound lizard, and it got loose."

"Your parents also had that ridiculous moose on the wall," Stone reminds me. Luckily, last year they ditched the dead animal for a different interior design.

Fondly, I smile. "Old school."

"No offence, our new direction of the Dizzy Duck just ups the standard." Holden is proud of this place, as he should be since he puts in the most hours.

"By the way, speaking of guests, did you run into the principal from your kids' school again?" Stone pries.

"Nah, thankfully. I have angels now since Lexi entered the picture with her stepmom-extraordinaire skills."

I wonder if I'm entering the picture as more than an uncle to Bo. Not sure why that thought comes to my mind, but it's a credible question.

"Well, I did. She asked if I want to coach the hockey team," Stone explains.

"I'm sure you declined, with your writing schedule." Holden grips my shoulder. "Besides, if Nash sticks around then the job is his."

Shaking my head, I press my lips together. "Not happening."

If I stick around? I need to address that at some point.

"I'm telling Dad that you're texting Justin Russo." Holden's son is loud enough that we hear him snipe at his sister.

Holden recoils. "My clue that peace is broken." He groans and turns, while Stone and I follow as we should probably check on everyone. Besides, I'm getting hungry.

Summer and I meet halfway to the buffet table. The way the breeze blows in her hair gives me a view of her entire neck which is beautiful. Necks are underappreciated.

"Want me to go on duty?" I offer .

She already begins to hand Bo off. "That would be great. I'm dead serious. I need to make a candy apple and down a pumpkin-spiced expresso martini that I hear is rumored to be floating around."

I chortle from the fact that she's not one bit joking. "I might be carrying you both home later," I note.

She waves me off. "Nah, I'm a perfectly responsible adult."

Her high spirits wilt to a frown, and I notice she's looking over my shoulder. I follow her line of sight and instantly relate to where her mind just went. There's a boy who is dressed as a doctor.

And I'm the asshole who chose the hockey costume instead of the doctor option at the store. Bo's dad, the doctor.

"Next year. A perfect costume for Bo." I mean it when I say it.

Summer meets my gaze. "I'm fine. Maybe it's good that sometimes we get little reminders just to ensure he isn't forgotten. For Bo."

She attempts to bring her smile back, but it's weak. "There are sweet potatoes in the buffet. That would be perfect for Bo."

"A gourmet meal is coming his way," I promise.

The glimmer of appreciation in her eyes for the support is only intended for me, we just flow. Summer is about to step closer to show affection to me but stops herself when her eyes circle, and she reminds herself where we are.

It doesn't matter. She's having a decent day, and that's all that matters.

"You're kind of tipsy," I tease Summer as she giggles .

Bo was fast asleep in the car, and I took him straight to bed. Now, I'm downstairs on the couch with Summer and enjoying a drink to kick back and relax.

Summer indicates with her fingers a small size as she sits on her knees and faces me. "A tiny bit. It's been forever since I've enjoyed a cocktail."

I'm entertained. "It's been a while since I've seen this. What does tipsy Summer do again?"

"Eat lots of Halloween candy."

"We'll have nothing left."

"Uhm. I used to strip for you," she recalls.

My lips quirk out as my bottle rests on my lap. She did. That was the thing. We were explosive together. So much so that I feared at times it was only that. But then it was clear.

Summer was more.

She is more.

"What else do you remember?" I prod, fully invested that we're in replay mode.

Summer springs up from the couch and offers her hand to me. "You would dance with me."

Setting my beer bottle on the side table, I grin. I have no qualms, if she wants a man that will dance with her, then that is what she'll get.

I smirk as she begins to lead the way, her arms floating as she takes my hands.

"There's no music," I highlight that fact.

Her face softens. "I don't think that matters."

Taking hold of her hands, I bring them to my chest, causing our distance to close as we both begin to sway with our eyes entranced.

The last few minutes of fun and banter vanish as something profound overwhelms the air, nearly creating a catastrophic tension. It takes no words to acknowledge that. Summer slides her hands around me to hold on as her head lands on my chest.

"You always surprised me. Every time in your arms, I felt more protected than the last." Her tone is neutral, no longer tipsy and thoughts in her head sobering her up.

Kissing the top of her head, I wrap my arms around her as we continue to barely sway. "It's still the case, Summer. I just…" Let you go .

"Don't leave me, too." With her somber tone, I can't figure out if she's asking for a promise or telling me a fear.

My breath catches as I come to terms with a reality that I need to make clear. "I'm not going anywhere, Summer."

She doesn't look up nor change her tone. "I forgot that the clock had six weeks on it when it comes to us."

I begin to rub circles on her back. "Did I not make myself clear at the pumpkin patch? I'm breaking the clock. I'm staying."

It causes our eyes to find one another like a magnet. "I've lost my best friend. He isn't coming back. But you? I've lost once, and I won't survive twice."

My hands are quick to frame her face, forcing her gaze to connect with mine. "I promise you. I'm already two steps ahead of you. I won't let you break," I promise her.

"I'm counting on that." The vulnerability is apparent, it's written all over her body.

"Remember? You're my puck." Please bring that smile back again.

She sputters a laugh. "The puck that you fuck. How could I forget."

It does the trick. I won't let her wallow or sink down a spiral because she's sad or scared.

"I said some stupid stuff then," I admit.

The corners of her mouth sweep slightly up. "And I loved it. We would laugh a lot… I don't want us to be a mess of emotions this time around. We can still laugh, every day I see that more."

"Me too, Summer, me too."

"Can we go upstairs?"

I don't answer her, my droll smile is enough.

We head upstairs, and once we're in her room, there's a shift.

We both find our way to the middle of the bed, on top of the duvet, on our knees, facing each other but watching our fingertips imprint against one another.

"I think the cloud we've been thrown into is beginning to vanish," she comments.

It doesn't take a scientist to be aware that this entire situation of how we ended up here was out of our hands, or at least, this chapter of life. Even if I never let her go, my brother would still be gone.

My mouth lowers to hers, our lips mold, and it's that tender part of me that I only have with her. Our tongues swirl against one another.

"We'll make it to other side of the cloud, I promise."

Then I slowly guide her back until we're lying on top of the mattress, taking time to just say nothing, instead letting our fingers explore.

Her eyes flick up to tie us together with an invisible string. "You've been making a lot of promises lately… but this time I believe you," she whispers.

This is the man I should have been. I recognize that. It's different now.

Because I have more promises to come.